Overview
- A member photograph posted by North Rockhampton Golf Club over the weekend showed a saltwater crocodile on Splitters Creek within a few kilometres of the Fitzroy River area earmarked for the 2032 Olympic rowing and canoe sprint events.
- The Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation said the sighting had not been reported to the department and that it has opened an investigation into the incident.
- Premier David Crisafulli said he remained confident Rockhampton could host the rowing events, while Rowing Australia described the sighting as a 'wake-up call' and the Opposition demanded the release of the independent technical report used to approve the site.
- Estimates of the animal's size differ, with the golf club president calling it about 1.2 metres and a reptile expert saying it could be up to 3 metres, and the location is not a Category A removal zone so wildlife rangers must assess behaviour before any capture or removal.
- The photograph has renewed scrutiny of venue planning and safety documents and could affect forthcoming approvals because international sporting bodies are waiting for more technical detail and clear plans for how crocodile risks will be managed during the Games.